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Stranger than fiction. After years of telling true-crime stories, a real case has hit the NCIS family. William “Kono” Dahlin, an NCIS: Hawai’i actor, has died after he was shot and killed in a bar fight in 2023. Dahlin was honored in a title card at the end of the NCIS: Hawai’i premiere.
NCIS: Hawai’i is the fourth series of NCIS franchise, which follows military-related criminal investigations based on the Naval Criminal Investigative Service of the United States Department of the Navy. The franchise also includes the original NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Sydney, and the upcoming NCIS: Origins, which is a prequel series following NCIS original character Jethro Leroy Gibbs.
NCIS: Hawai’i is led by Vanessa Lachey, who plays Jane Tennant, the first female Special Agent-in-Charge of the NCIS: Hawai’i Field Office. As NCIS fans now, the franchise is no stranger to inspirations to true-crime cases. But no one expected one real-life case to hit so close to home. So who is William Kono Dahlin from NCIS: Hawai’i and how did he die? Read on for what to know about the “In Memory Of” card at the end of the Season 3 premiere.
Who’s William Kono Dahlin from NCIS Hawai’i? Dahlin was honored in a dedication slide at the end of Season 3 premiere, “Run and Gun.” “In Loving Memory of William “Kono” Dahlin,” the slide read. But who is William Kono Dahlin Jr. from NCIS Hawai’i?
Dahlin is an actor and crew member who has worked on shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He also starred in the 2019 short film Mailboxes and worked as a production intern on the 2010 movie 127 Hours and 2013 film Man of Tai Chi, according to his IMDb. He was born on March 25, 1974, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu in 1992.
According to KITV 4 Island News, Dahlin died on July 19, 2023, after he was allegedly shot and killed in a fight at at 2012 Bar and Cafe on Bertania Street in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was 49 years old. Dahlin was taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries shortly after. Myron Takushi of Oahu was charged with second-degree murder, terroristic threatening, and firearm charges in Dahlin’s death.
According to court documents obtained by KITV 4 Island News, the Dahlin and Takushi were seen arguing before shots were fired. Per the police, Dahlin punched Takushi while they were arguing before Taksuhi opened fire multiple times and killed Dahlin. Takushi’s bail was set at $1 million and he remained in jail as of August 2023. Takushi pleaded not guilty.
NCIS: Hawai’i star Noah Mills, who plays Special Agent Jesse Boone in the series, confirmed that Dahlin worked on NCIS: Hawai’i for two years before his death. “Worked with Kono for almost two years day in and day out, always put a smile on my face as he for many others and will be dearly missed. Prayers and thoughts to his family and loved ones. Shocked. Rip Kono,” he commented on an Instagram news video about Dahlin’s death.
Kailua community member Daniel Casler also honored Dahlin in an Instagram post after his death. “RIP to William Dahlin. A Kaneohe man who was the victim of the Honolulu Bar shooting ❤️,” he captioned a photo of Dahlin.
A user commented, “This is so very sad & senseless , I didn’t know him but looking at him, he looks like a really nice down to earth guy & a good friend. My Deepest Sympathy to his family & friends, let your fun loving memories fill your heart to help ease your pain. May He RIP & Love❤️🙏🌺 A Hui Hou🤙🏼.” Another user wrote, “RIP brada Kono! You were an awesome hard worker with so much aloha to give! My condolences to his ‘ohana for this sudden tragic and unnecessary loss. Our whole set Dec crew were all shocked hearing this news on Wednesday! I was just talking story the other day with you about how crazy this show has been and sharing our stories from the last one at breakfast catering and what we were hoping we were gonna do next. I know Our film ‘ohana sends all of our love and aloha! You will be missed!”
NCIS: Hawai’i write Noah Evslin aslso commented on the post expressing his “shock” in Dahlin’s death. “I worked with him on NCIS:HI Super nice dude. This is all so shocking and tragic,” he wrote.
According to his obituary, Dahlin is survived by his sons, Tyler Dahlin and Jacob Dahlin; daughter Karli Dahlin; father William Dahlin Sr.; brother Kyle ” Dahlin; and sister Coline Kekauoha. A Memorial Service was held on September 15, 2023, at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel in Waipahu, Hawaii.
“Kono was a true friend someone who had so much love to give and always a laugh to share. So manny great times at work together making those long days go by a little faster,” commented Dahlin’s friend Cyrus Apeles on the obituary. “Nothing but love and aloha for everyone We’ll all cherish all the memories together Never needed to worry if you were around always had our back. So happy you got to be apart of our special effects ohana, truly the best person to work with. Love you always Kono.”
